Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-08-17
THE CANVAS HOUSE
FOR The REUNION PUT Up on THE FAIR
GROUNDS
Yesterday Afernoon-Reunion Matters Progressing
Finely-Meeting Of the Executive Com
m!uee FOr-This Evening.

AlllISNllN I NHN -
approaching nearer and nearer completion
and by the end of the week all matters
concerning the event will be pretty well
in hand. The Executive Committee will
hold an important meeting at headquar-
tiers this evening, which should be fully
attended.
The rehearsal of the children yesterday
morning at Arion Hall was very sue
~cessful, Professor Arbenz directing
it. There was a large attend
ance, and all others wanting to Join
should do so at once. Corresponding Sec
retary Cowden received a letter yesterday
from Sergeant J. A. McCauley, of Wash
ipgton, d. c., saying he would surely be
here, which his many friends in Wheeling
will be glad to hear. Captain James A.
Umplebay, of the "a West Virginia Caval-
~, now Il resident of COnnOton, o., has
also signifed his intention OF attending the
reunion.
The New Fair Ground was a scene of
hustle aud activity all day yesterday, and
a great deal of work was done during the
day. Early in the morning Il large force OF
men reported to work under the direction
of an expert canvasman from Forepaugh's
show. and by noon the top of the big tent
was up, and by four in the evening the
side pieces were in position and the stay
ropes. etc in proper shape. One can
scarcely realize the dimensions OF the big
canvas house, even after a long inspection
of its interior. The dimensions laid down
on the plat of the interior Is 2l3X3l5 feet,
ariording ample room for a game OF base
bail, with several thousand specta-
tors. Not even the hardest nit
ter of the Ohio League could
drive a fly To the limits Of the enclosure,
and there promises to be ample seating
and standing capacity for 10000 people
beneath the sloping roof OF canvas. The
main entrance to the tent faces the north
east, and opposite it the fence enclosing
the race track will be removed, allowing
people a free entrance from the upper poT-
ton of the grounds. II Is designed to dI-
rect the main stream OF travel from the
South Front street entrance due south
past Agricultural and Machinery Hall, in
stead of allowing them to 20 To the west
towards the dancing Pavilion. This de-
cided change was m absolutely necessity,
for to have allowed the going TO
and coming from the big tent to
have streamed through the apple trees
west of the main building would have
seriously intcriered with the business Of
those who have rented reireshment booths,
etc. These folks, by the way, were hard
at work yesterday, fitting up their spaces,
and piles of lumber were to be seen on
every side. The ladies of the Relief Corps
have filled the big dancing pavilion with
tables and other essentials, while those at
the head of the big w. c. T. |. booth have
their space fenced in and a kitchen
erected.
Soon after noon yesterday a force of car
peuters went to work inside the big tent
lifting up the foundation timber IOr the
yaaiops Stages aud platforms. The
main stage, for the chorus, orchestra,
distinguished visitors, etc, will be
on the extreme south side of the
tent, and will be l0X72 feet in dimensions,
raised five feet above the ground. On the
north side of this will be a double flight of
steps, and extending out between the
heads of these stars will be a gangway
leading to the speakers stand, which will
be l2Xl2 feet. Ii font Of the speakers
stand will he the stand for the reporters,
5x2i feet. Arranged i'll a semi-circle
around this series Of Glands Will be the
ampitneatTe of seats, designed to accom-
MEDIATE $500. These seats will be divided
into eight large sections, separated by
aisles eight feet wide, two Of the large sec
tiOns being sub-divided by l~ivc-foOt aisles.
On the right and left Of the chorus stand,
and all around the permanent seats will
he standing room for thousands.
There will he three c0mmodiOus band
stands on the north, east and west
sides of the tent, respectively, and the
lighting arrangements lur night will be in
every respect admirable. The grange
ment of the interior OF the tent was plan
ned by Architect T.. W. Wells.
Yesterday Mr.. Oscar Seeley made great
progress with the laying Of the natural gas
pipe on the grounds, and in a couple Of
daysit will all he done.
Manager Woln', OF the telephone ON
pany, has issued orders that during the
reunion all instruments within a radius OF
twelve miles can be used fee Of charge.
Connections have been made on Twelfth
street, Just east of the intersection of Main,
with the city gas mains to supply light
for one of the big arches, to be erected by
the Committee on Decorations.
The Pittshgrgh lomwcrcial- Ga@oHc of
yesterday had the following: The rN-
prisoners of war of Allegheny county held
a meeting which was largely attended in
the Board of Health Office last night 10
take action in regard to the invitation re
Ccivad from the army ur West Virginia.
i was decided to attend the reunion Of
that organization ut Wheeling, August 26,
in 4 body. Hetiick's drum corps has been
engaged tor the occasion and the members
of the organization will rrpOrta Municipal
Hall, Friday morning, August 2G, at ESQ,
to take the train for Wheeling All eX-
Union prisoners Of war. whether members
or not, are invited, and badges will he fur
nished.n